Prairies of Heart

Chapter 23

William sweeped on by and told Summer that her father was wanted in another county for theft along with counts of murder. She wasn't surprised by this. Her father was a good man but things changed when she was 10 years of age. Mr Crade began to abuse her mother, he would punch her till her lips were blue. Some of the men in town wanted to harm Mr Crade for doing so as they never tolerated the hate of women in Dimley. At 14 thats when things had really changed. She was out late because she had been feeding the horses at Ambers place so when she got home, her father was pissed at her and had accuse her of sleeping with the farmers boy. He was about to slap Summer but her mother had caught the hand and this angered Mr Crade even more. Summer at 14 was not weak and tried to defend her mother but he hit Summer over the head with a pan lying her unconscious while he ruthlessly beat Summer's mother over and over and over till there was a pool of blood dripping down her face. When Summer awoke, she ran out and got some of the men in town and when they had caught what Mr Crade had done they swore to kill him. Mr Crade got word of this and ran off. Summer's mother unfortunately did not awaken from his beatings and so she had been layed to rest. Both her parents left her at 14. Her sister was too far out of town to help.

Ma'am are you alright; William asked snapping Summer out of her thoughts

How much trouble would I be in for if I kill that son of a bitch; Summer said looking at her father. The men standing in the Police Station all glared at her as if she was silly

Here in Roses Grove we don't tell a soul. We take them outback and shoot them like deer then we skin em; The older gentlemen said

You remember the time that you came home and had brought us gifts, daddy?. I have only one fondest memory of you and that was you bringing Mama and I gifts for the holiday; Summer said as she walked over slowly while William watched her

This is gonna be good; William said sipping his coffee

When I was at the age of 10, you got a raise. Began to give no damn second look at us as you chased your whores and when you did, you beat Mama Jenny like she wasn't anything to you, like she had not cleaned your wounds or bathed you or cooked for you or sewn clothes for you; Summer said

I don't remember; Mr Crade said

You damn well should. Beating mama and me. You remember this; Summer said lifting up her shirt up showing a scar that when from her stomach to her jaw. She watched as Mr Crades expressions changed

Please; Mr Crade said

Please? Isn't that what Mama Jenny said after she pleaded for you not to cut me open? Isn't that what she said when you burned her hand over a hot stove? ISNT THAT WHAT MAMA SAID AFTER SHE BEGGED YOU TO STOP BEATING HER WHEN I WAS FOURTEEN AND YOU DIDN'T STOP! YOU GOT ON YOUR HORSE AND RAN LIKE A COWARD. YOU KILLED HER. YOU FUCKING KILLED MY MOTHER AND IN A WAY YOU KILLED KENNEDY TOO. KENNEDY WAS CLOSE TO MAMA AND WHEN SHE LEARNED THAT YOU HAD KILLED HER IT BROKE HER HEART MORE THAN ONCE. YOU SON OF A BITCH. IM GONNA MAKE SURE THE WHOLE COUNTY CAN SEE THAT YOUR DEAD. HOW MANY OTHER WOMEN DID YOU TREAT LIKE THAT? HOW MANY DID YOU RAPE?; Summer screamed at him with her throat burning and her eyes in tears

I don't know. I lost count; Mr Crade said without care

YOUR NOTHING BUT A PIECE OF SHIT AND I HOPE YOU BURN IN HELL. BOYS LETS GO! THIS ONES GOING IN A MEAT PIE; Summer yelled

William got Mr Crade out while, Billy,  the old gentleman at the station grabbed a gun. Summer went through town and screamed "BONFIRE AT THE MOUNT ELLY". Everyone in town saw William drag Mr Crade by his feet like a doll and knew what was going to happen so they followed. Mr Crade had been known to fear everyone and was a devil. He killed countless whores and at one time killed a mother along with her unborn child. It was time this pathetic bastard that Summer once called a father, died. Royce and Henry grabbed wood along with matches and all the women around town got a chair to put Mr Crade in. They shoved a cloth in his mouth and he could not scream.

Everyone ready; Summer asked as she held the gun

May I go first? This son of a bitch killed my grandmother and took her money; A man in a grey top asked

Well sure; Summer said

Names Matthew; The man said and shot Mr Crade right in the chest. The towns people oohed in excitement as they watched a man be killed

Whose next; Summer asked

Some of the ladies in town all took shots at him. Summer saw that he was clearly deceased but she let the women in town who had lived in fear, kill the man they feared. It amazed her. The children were all at school so none were around

You killed my wife, you scumbag. It wont bring her back but this will feel good; A man in the back of the crowd said and shot Mr Crade right in the face

What do we all think? More rounds; Summer asked

YAAAAA; The towns people screamed

Summers girlfriends went around in turns shooting at Mr Crade who had at this point was bloody and dead. The townspeople all laughed as a bartender brought bottles of wine for them to celebrate.

Time for the big show; William said

Does anyone have a knife; Summer asked

I got one; Matthew gave her a black blade

Summer went over and whispered "This for Kennedy and Mama" then slice his throat open. The townsfolk all awed as blood spewed out.

Cheers to living in no fear; William shouted

CHEERS TO LIVING WITH NO FEAR; Everyone hooted and hurrah as they sipped wine

We ready; Henry said

Burn them; Summer said and stood back watching as Royce lit a pit of wood under her deceased father and burned him. Summer sat back and drank wine then rested her head on Henry who was proud of her for standing up for everyone. Once counties heard the news of Mr Crade "Devil in the wind" as his nicknamed being dead, there was going to be relief. The fire smelled badly but nobody minded. One of the townwhores came by and whispered a thank you to Summer. It wouldn't bring loved ones back but it sure did offer relief